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Article: Botfly ectoparasitism of the Brown Cacholote and the Firewood-gatherer.
- Article from:
- Wilson Bulletin
- Article date:
- December 1, 1995
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1995 Wilson Ornithological Society. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Flies of the genus Philornis (Diptera, Muscidae) are obligate subcutaneous parasites of birds (Pont 1972, Harwood and James 1987). Philornid botflies place their eggs on birds, generally chicks. The larvae burrow into the chick's skin and feed on its blood and body fluids (Uhazy and Arendt 1986). Mature larvae emerge through apertures in the skin producing large cutaneous lesion and posterior scars (Arendt 1985a, Uhazy and Arendt 1986). Pupation occurs on the bottom of the nest (Pont 1972). Lethality of fly parasitism depends on various factors such as age and size of nestlings, implantation sites, intensity of infestation, brood size, the amount of food that adults can ...